JOIN US FOR DOGWOOD DAYS: A week-long celebration of the estate's kousa dogwood trees, featuring open gardens, guided tours, tree sale, and more

Each June, the Wakefield Estate welcomes visitors to celebrate the annual blooming of hundreds of Polly Wakefield's kousa dogwood trees. We're excited to announce that this year's Dogwood Days will include a week full of special events, including open hours, guided tours, a tree sale and more. The grounds will be open daily for self-guided walks around the formal gardens where hundreds of kousa dogwoods will be at their peak bloom. Program highlights include:

Saturday, June 8: Garden Conservancy Open Days, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This year, the Wakefield Estate has partnered with The Garden Conservancy to organize "Greater Boston Area Open Days" on June 8 featuring the Wakefield Estate, the Forbes House Museum and 3 other outstanding Milton gardens.

While some of the gardens offer guided tours, visitors can tour the gardens on their own schedule and itinerary. Reservations are not required and the Open Days program is rain or shine. Admission is $5 per garden; proceeds will benefit The Garden Conservancy and the educational programs of the Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust.

For more information, click here to visit The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program website and to see a list of the selected gardens and directions. For more information, call the Wakefield Estate at 617-333-0924.

Also on June 8-14: Tree and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Our first ever plant sale will kick off Saturday, June 8th and continue all week. This is your opportunity to add some special woody plants and perennials to your own yard, including some of the estate's signature kousa dogwoods, metasequoias, tulip trees, paperbark maples, mayapples and many more.

Sunday, June 9: Dogs and Dogwoods Day, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Join us for a day of fun for families and four-legged friends featuring "dog" related activities, including a light-hearted dog show for kids and adults at 1:00 p.m.,  a chance to "dig" like dogs at our  "Dig it" Summer Archaeology demonstration, enjoy a yummy "dog" at our Hot Dog stand, or just enjoy a stroll in the garden or a "roll" in the grass. ($5 suggested donation)

Friday, June 14: Dogwood Fire, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Dogwood Days will conclude with a rousing fire in the front garden.  Join the Wakefield staff in celebrating the conclusion of the 2013 Dogwood Days by roasting a sausage or marshmallow after an evening stroll through the estate's formal gardens and kousa dogwoods   Please call to register: 617-333-0924.

Monday June 10 - Friday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

During Dogwood Days, the estate will be open to the public daily from 10am-4pm for self-guided garden tours and plant sale. Stroll about the estate grounds and formal gardens to view hundreds of breathtaking kousa dogwoods at their peak bloom. 

Plein air artists are invited to capture the blooming dogwoods on canvas and will have the opportunity to sell their work at a later event or enter a competition for the image to be used on the 2014 Dogwood Days poster. 

Garden Clubs! If your garden club or organization would like a private guided tour, please call us at (617) 333-0924.

Volunteer! If you'd like to help out on Saturday the 8th or Sunday the 9th, give us a call at (617) 333-0924 x22 or send us an email.